After hearing her proposal about "reduced fees and labor compensation," Xia Chang hesitated, his gaze circling her face twice before asking uncertainly: "You're not joking?"
The inn wasn't that big, and with all three team members working together, even with Song Ziyi unconscious, how much work could there be for him and Lu Qin?
Xia Chang couldn't believe Qian Zhenzhen would make a losing deal.
"Captain Xia," Qian Zhenzhen sighed, "I know you're meticulous and cautious, but the zombies and beasts are coming soon. You don't have time to analyze slowly—will you agree or not? Please give me a straight answer!"
Lu Qin gently patted Xia Chang's back, urging quietly: "Hurry and agree, Brother Xia. Not only do we save vouchers, but we can also keep an An Xi Base voucher. Aren't you happy about that?"
Xia Chang was certainly happy and extended his hand. "Then let's do as Manager Qian says. Our team will work for the inn to offset the commission fee. Deal made, no changes."
Qian Zhenzhen grasped his hand, firmly repeating: "Deal made, no changes."
[You've received a guest's [Additional Commission], please work hard to complete it. Beyond the agreed payment, there might be unexpected rewards!]
Qian Zhenzhen closed the message and called to the two, "Grab your weapons, let's prepare at the back door."
...
"Huh huh huh huh—"
Filthy zombies stumbled forward, heedlessly crashing into the chevaux de frise spikes, their rotting arms reaching toward the living before them.
An indescribable stench filled the air. From less than two meters away, you could clearly see the pus in their mouths, like moldy green egg yolk, continuously dripping from blackened teeth.
Their bodies were covered in maggots crawling in and out of their clothes and skin, turning stomachs.
Qian Zhenzhen took out masks and gloves bought from the voucher store, distributed them to the other three, then gripped her iron axe and charged toward a zombie first.
The system displayed a prompt:
[Task Reward Statistics Activated! [Will be calculated upon task submission]]
Meanwhile, A Miao wielded an iron hammer, Xia Chang used a club, and Lu Qin brandished a spiked club as they joined the battle.
[Special Reward Mechanism Activated! [Timer Start]]
[Your guest [Xia Chang] is protecting the inn!]
[Your guest [Lu Qin] is protecting the inn!]
[Your guest [Song Ziyi] is recovering from injuries, temporarily not counted!]
[According to the mechanism evaluation, guest [Xia Chang]'s inn protection behavior is worth [10?] Koi Vouchers, will be calculated and distributed after the task ends, please wait patiently!]
[According to the mechanism evaluation, guest [Lu Qin]'s inn protection behavior is worth [10*?] Koi Vouchers, will be calculated and distributed after the task ends, please wait patiently!]
#
Though no guns were fired, the zombies—drawn by the presence of the living—let out eerie cries that attracted more zombies and beasts.
They pressed against the barricades like sardines packed in a tin, the northern row of spikes completely full, as if advertising "Fresh meat, come and get it!"
A'Miao worked with lethal efficiency, his iron hammer swinging with devastating force. The heads of zombies and beasts burst like ripe melons beneath his strikes, one clean hit each.
After each kill, he'd lift his hammer to clear the impaled corpses from the spikes, then wait for new enemies to be caught—as methodical as a factory assembly line.
He managed half the defensive line alone. Xia Chang and Lu Qin took the other half, positioning themselves on either side with Qian Zhenzhen between them.
As seasoned members of the wandering team, they fought with practiced skill and perfect coordination, dispatching enemies at remarkable speed.
Rather than competing for kills, Qian Zhenzhen focused on earning money by maintaining the defenses—clearing corpses and preventing the barricades from becoming clogged.
After thirty minutes of intense combat, they had eliminated all the zombies and beasts that had crossed the river. The area behind the cabin was strewn with corpses, emanating a foul stench.
The system displayed the current statistics:
[You killed (zombies/beasts × 7)]
[Your employee [Qian Zhenmiao] killed (zombies/beasts) × 39]
[Guest [Xia Chang] killed (zombies/beasts) × 17]
[Guest [Lu Qin] killed (zombies/beasts) × 19]
[You have completed "Beginner Mission (3): Repel One Attack", would you like to submit?]
After consideration, Qian Zhenzhen declined.
She reasoned that if more zombies and beasts appeared later, they might count toward the mission too—after all, the count would be [tallied upon mission submission].
Meanwhile, she began formulating a plan to retrieve the luggage...
As the attacks dwindled, Qian Zhenzhen headed to the kitchen to prepare lunch. The others took her tools and started repairing the damaged barricades.
This work earned her additional income—the system valued Xia Chang and Lu Qin's labor at [1.5] Koi Vouchers per hour. Their hour of work netted her 3 Koi Vouchers, to be paid after their stay.
Given everyone's exhaustion, Qian Zhenzhen prepared a hearty meal: steamed rice with sweet potatoes, their scavenged pickled fish, and instant egg drop soup (costing 1 Koi Voucher per pack), garnished with fresh green onions and salt.
The generous lunch impressed Xia Chang and Lu Qin, improving their "evaluation" further.
After washing up, they gathered at the stove to eat. Qian Zhenzhen turned to Xia Chang: "Why are there so many zombies across the river? Li Lan mentioned only beasts before."
"They came from Black Glory Mountain Base," Xia Chang explained. His team had gone there hoping to trade supplies but found it overrun with zombies. They'd barely escaped with their lives.
The zombies had followed their car's engine noise toward Long Glory Highway—entering the forest was inevitable.
Lu Qin sighed. "When Brother Xia predicted they'd come soon, I was skeptical. But here they are..."
Qian Zhenzhen set down her chopsticks. "Where exactly did you leave your luggage? How far from the riverbank?"
After conferring briefly, Xia Chang and Lu Qin replied: "About a thousand meters from the riverbank."
On flat ground, a thousand meters would take four or five minutes to run, depending on fitness. The forest's rough terrain would slow them considerably.
Qian Zhenzhen glanced at A'Miao eating by the stove. "Are you fast on your feet?"
A'Miao swallowed his rice, wiped his mouth, and answered: "Not bad."
His modest response suggested he was quite fast indeed.
Qian Zhenzhen crouched beside him and carefully outlined her plan: "A'Miao, listen..."
The zombie and beast population across the river posed too great a risk for a group expedition—they'd likely be surrounded before covering that thousand-meter distance, even if they found the luggage.
Drawing inspiration from the wandering team's tactics, Qian Zhenzhen proposed a "fishing" strategy: send their fastest member to lure the zombies and beasts while another waited by the shore with a raft. Once united, they'd quickly cross back to the inn.
The inn's defenders would guard the back door, eliminating any creatures that crossed the river. The barricades and cabin provided security, letting them focus on threats from the front—worst case, they could retreat inside.
The plan's success hinged on the bait runner, who'd risk their life and need considerable stamina for potentially 3-4 rounds.
Qian Zhenzhen detailed A'Miao's role: "Start with a three-hundred-meter run to draw the first wave, then six hundred meters, and finally a thousand. If you spot the luggage, great—if not, return safely."